When Passion Meets Purpose On and Off the Court

Written on the 13 May 2025 by Abby Wijesekera

Basketball for some is more than just a game, and for young up and coming talent Emily Paulic, basketball provides a purpose, a passion and a powerful way to give back to her community.  

With the recent Regional Academy Games and 3x3 Hustle Nationals campaign concluding her fourth year as a player and second year as a coach with the South West Sydney Academy of Sport, Paulic's journey is as inspiring as it is impressive.  

Yet would you believe her passion for sport began on the soccer field as a young six year old, but when her brother made the switch to basketball, Emily followed and found something far greater than she had expected. 

"I realised that Basketball was the sport I loved and what I wanted to do for the rest of my life," she says. 

Paulic did not take a traditional path through the Academy trials process, with her Mum managing the program, with Paulic tagging along, carefully watching and learning, then heading home to hone her new found skills. Yet when the coaching staff needed an additional female player at one training session, she took the opportunity to jump in, and ended up as a train-on player for the remainder of the season.  

The next year, she trialled for the Academy and officially earned her place within the high performance squad. Since then, she has grown into a dual force for the Academy, through balancing her development in both representative (and traditional 5v5) basketball and as one of the Academy's foundation 3x3 female basketball athletes. Not to mention taking on a deep commitment to learning the coaching game, where she has been an apprentice and now assistant coach within the Academy's boys Basketball program.  

"Even though I am still a player, I love giving back to younger players coming through," Paulic says. "When I got the opportunity to coach with the Academy, I jumped at it." 

Her approach to coaching is holistic and athlete-centered, inspired by her then Under 14's representative coach, who taught her the value of being your authentic self, both on and off the court. 

"He taught me that basketball is not always about winning or losing. It's about the small improvements," she explains. "That's the biggest thing I have taken into my own coaching." 

Paulic is grounded in gratitude and powered by perspective, which led her to be able to not just compete with the Academy 18 Girls side at the 3x3 Hustle National Championships, held in Geelong in April, but finish third in the nation.  

Paulic expressed that her mental preparation, especially in high pressure games such as the 3x3 Hustle Nationals, involves reflection, as she states, "I think of all the good moments and games I have had as a reminder of what I am capable of." 

Paulic also understands the physicality that 3x3 basketball demands especially, although she finds herself thriving on the intensity and pace of the game. Offensively and defensively, she is committed to the one percenters as she says "even if I am not scoring the points, it’s about helping my team." 

Beyond basketball, Paulic juggles work, senior schooling, and a growing love for photography and sports media. But no matter how full her schedule is, family remains at the heart of all of her endeavors. "The number one thing in my life is my family," she says. "Being the best version of myself and making my family proud, that’s the most rewarding thing." 

Her drive to give back does not stop with coaching, demonstrated by when she first joined the Academy and heard about the Campbelltown Mayor's Christmas Present Drive that was taking place, she reached out immediately to get the Academy involved. "I’m very much a person about giving back to the community because I know there are people out there who are not as fortunate as me." 

Whether she is stepping onto the court with her country music playlist in her ears or guiding the next generation of athletes, Paulic's impact is undeniable. With her eyes set to future competitions and a long-term dream of coaching and playing at an elite level, she is proving that you can lead, inspire and chase excellence, all while staying true to yourself. 

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